The deadliest 'snake island' of Brazil - Associates Times

- Advertisement -

The Ilha da Queimada Grande, also known as 'Snake island', is one of the world's deadliest places off the coast of Brazil in the Atlantic Ocean. The island is considered to be the place of an estimated 5,00,00 lakh snakes where no population of the homo sapiens. 

The island has an area of around 106 hectares and consists of a temperate climate. It is believed that the island was a way to the mainland, and the snakes became trapped on the island when sea level rose and covered up the island. 

A picture of snake island

- Advertisement -

The history behind the name of the island – 

Advertisement

- Advertisement -

Deforestation is considered to be the origin behind the island's name – Ilha da Queimada Grande as the island is partially covered with rainforest and slightly bare rock and cleared grassy areas as a consequence of deforestation. 

'Queimada' in Portuguese, stands for 'burnt as earlier when the local residents have to clear the land for banana crops on the island, they had to clear rain forest using this technique.

The 'Light house' story of the island –

A lighthouse was constructed in the year 1909 with the purpose to drive vessels away from the island. However, the last family that lived in the lighthouse to operate it left the island when it was made automated. 

While there are some rumours that the family members who lived in the lighthouse died from the venomous snakebite. 

Lighthouse of the snake island

Snakes on the island –

The island is considered to be a home for the critically imperilled, venomous Bothrops insularis (golden lancehead pit viper), which has a diet of birds. 

The Navy of Brazil has closed the entry of people on the island. Only the members of the research team are allowed to come who receive waivers to collect the data.

The danger of the island –

It is estimated that there is one snake to every square meter (10.8 square feet) of the island. The estimation of the population of snakes is still lower. Only the Brazilian army has access to the island. Different species of venomous snakes are present on the island. 

The island has a population of forty-one bird species on Queimada Grande. 

A picture of the most dangerous snake island

In the year 2015, a discovery channel made a documentary of the deadliest island which in which a herpetologist estimates that the population remains at 2,000 to 4,000 of the golden lanceheads.

Due to the overall low population of the golden lancehead, the snake was designated critically endangered on the – IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It also was put on the list of endangered animals of Brazil. 

The island is also home to a smaller population of Dipsas albifrons, a non-venomous snake species.

Advertisement

- Advertisement -

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

20 of the World's Most Venomous Snakes - Treehugger

Image
An estimated 5.4 million people are bitten by snakes each year, leading to between 81,000 and 138,000 deaths and many more amputations, according to the World Health Organization. Snakes with very potent venom aren't always the most dangerous to people, however. Most just want to be left alone and won't seek out encounters with humans. From the colorful-but-deadly blue Malayan coral to the sometimes indistinguishable cottonmouth, here are 20 of the world's most venomous snakes.  Inland Taipan Ken Griffiths/ Getty Images Considered the world's most venomous snake, Australia's rare and reclusive inland taipan ( Oxyuranus microlepidotus ) mounts rigorous self-defense when provoked, striking with one or more bites. What makes the inland taipan particularly deadly isn't just its high toxicity, but an enzyme that helps accelerate the venom's absorption into the victim's body. Luckily, the inland taipan is rar...
Read more

SNAKES! Texas’ venomous rattlers, cottonmouths slithering out with warmer weather - KXAN.com

Image
AUSTIN (KXAN) — As summer months draw near and temperatures rise, so do the odds of snakes coming out to hiss — or deliver a dangerous kiss! While snakes serve valuable functions to their habitats (more on that below), it's important to know what to look out for – for their safety and yours. Many types of venomous snakes call Texas home: here's how to spot them and what to do if you find yourself on the receiving end of a nasty bite. Pop icon Britney Spears dances with a python at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards Lone Star Snakes Rattlesnakes These serpents are among the most common found in Texas, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife. There are 10 species found in the state — including the Western diamondback , the most common venomous snake in all of Texas. You can spot a Western diamondback by the brown, diamond-shaped marks down its back and white and black rings near the tail. They can reach up to seven feet, TPW says. A Western diamondback rattlesnake...
Read more

Top 7 Best Pet Lizards For Beginners - 2022 Guide - TheNationRoar

Image
img source: theuniversityanimalclinic.com When it comes to choosing lizards for adoption, there are at least 6000 varieties spread over various continents. Now not all fit for keeping as pets, but many lizards are there which need less maintenance and thus, those who are new to pet keeping, can manage to take care of such lizards. When it comes to the looks of the lizards, most of them are quite exotic. Their habits and behavior are pretty different from each other, and probable owners need to know a lot of things related to their daily life to keep them safe and healthy. Which is the easiest lizard to keep? img source: thesprucepets.com Leopard geckos are the most easily managed lizard so when someone needs an easy pet to keep at home they can easily get one. They have certain requirements regarding the terrarium like the proper heating, diet and substrate. They do not even need specific lighting in their habitat. But if you can arrange for a proper atmosphere wi...
Read more